Robert and Liz McDade own New Orleans' Great American Alligator Museum, a free attraction where visitors can see alligator fossils, paintings, and live alligators. In an interview, they describe how they manage the museum and maintain their energy in a lively city.
Morning routines and news habits
Robert McDade, an early riser, starts his day at 7:30 am by making coffee and reading several newspapers, including The Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and local New Orleans papers, as well as NPR. He also reads Business Insider for travel articles relevant to their tourist attraction. He begins and ends his day with fiction, currently reading John Steinbeck's East of Eden.
Liz McDade wakes around 8:30-9 am, drinks coffee, checks emails and news, and uses Facebook to keep in touch with friends. She plays Wordle daily with her college roommate and her sister. The museum opens at 10 am.
From a rock shop to an alligator museum
The museum grew from Robert's childhood hobby of natural history and mineral collecting. Liz, a geologist, shares this passion. They initially opened a small rock shop selling minerals and fossils. They noticed tourists wanted to see alligators, so they decided to create an alligator museum. About 25 years ago, they acquired an alligator fossil from a Wyoming quarry, and later a large taxidermy alligator, which formed the museum's foundation. The museum now sells alligator-themed items, following their motto: 'If it's green, it sells.'
Challenges and daily operations
The main challenge is weather. New Orleans hosted nearly 20 million tourists last year, but summer heat and humidity deter visitors. Currently, they see around 200 visitors daily. The museum is free, relying on tourist foot traffic.
Unwinding and exercise
The McDades prioritize daily exercise. They belong to a local health club for strength training and enjoy walking in Audubon Park, especially in spring. For 35 years, they have practiced Shotokan karate three times a week under a renowned Japanese martial artist in Metairie, Louisiana.
Evening routine and sleep
In the evening, they watch a movie, cycling through genres like westerns, film noir, or international black-and-white films. Recently, they enjoyed Jacques Demy's French film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, which made them smile throughout.
